Home and Native Land

Sam Roberts in Victoria

Baby Nemo

Me on top of Mount Douglas, Victoria

Michelle and I on the shores of Victoria

Chris overlooking Victoria

Victoria's Parliament Building at night

So I arrived home several weeks ago and while I have no excuses for not updating my blog sooner, I really wanted to be able to do this post justice. This is the post where I will reminisce and submit a final report of the NZ experience; where I will reveal my feelings on coming back into Canada; and where I will get you up to speed on the daily happenings of my life in the West coast.

Leaving New Zealand was harder than I could have ever expected. Firstly, never underestimate the power of 5 months. Too much time for some things but much, much, much too little time for others. I was blessed to be coming home to my family and friends in such a short amount of time, but cursed for leaving friends and family in New Zealand so soon. As I checked out of my flat, Rua, on June 25, 2006, the tears began to well up. I was lucky enough to have close friends nearby as they sent me off, but it didn't make it any easier leaving - that's for sure. But through all this sadness, I felt joy. I felt joy at the fact that I was feeling sorrow. Feeling this upset was a sign of success. I succeeded in making lasting friendships, making the most of my experience and making my own mark upon others. It truly was a bittersweet feeling.

No words can truly, deeply and honestly describe the impact that New Zealand has made on my life. New Zealand was more than a country. To me, it was The University of Otago, Toroa International House, a group of incredible individuals, and a lifetime of memories. New Zealand helped me realize the value of travelling. Whether you're travelling in a place as beautiful as New Zealand, or somewhere less exciting, there are so many lessons to be learned along the way. These lessons are within the people you meet, the places you stay, the activities you do, the clothes you bring, the food you eat, the soap you use as your facewash/shampoo/conditioner/shaving cream (thank you LUSH).

Before I left for New Zealand, my closest friends told me that I would be in for some surprises and lots of changes. These changes were going to happen to me, within me, and around me. While, I never doubted that New Zealand was going to change me in some shape or form, I never realized how much. Studying/Travelling/Reading/Writing/Thinking in New Zealand has allowed me to look at life differently. I have learned to take a break; think less (of the unimporant things); think more (of the important things); open up; live stress-free (sometimes) and just breathe a little easier. A couple weeks ago, I met up with an old professor of mine and I told him that since I got to university (and maybe even before then), I have felt so much pressure to "do something with my life". This pressure is one that has been embedded into youth of our generation by parents, teachers, the government, etc. Thus, because of this pressure to succeed scholastically and professionally, students are pressured into choosing a profession (lawyer or doctor or teacher? what will it be?) at such a young impressionable age. Most of my long-time friends will know that my life dream was to become an attorney (next to motherhood :) It took me a while to question why I wanted to become a lawyer and I only realized halfway through my LSAT prep course, I didn't want to be one any more. Going to New Zealand helped me to allow myself to question all the big things in my life. In many ways, I have come up with even more questions, however oddly enough I have more clarity. How is this? Well, even though I may have more questions than ever before, I feel more confident than ever that the answers will all come in time.

Thank you Otago, Toroa, Dunedin and New Zealand.

I arrived back in Canada on June 25, 2006 around 7:30pm. Overall, another great long flight. No complaints. Qantas has been the best airline I have ever travelled with - hands down. When I touched down in Victoria, I was greeted with warm air and a beautiful setting sun. It was exactly what I needed. My parents lovingly greeted me and waited until at least the second sentence to tell me my face got chubby. I just couldn't resist those New Zealand lollies. Anyways, I was pretty happy to see my parents and nothing, not even my lost luggage could faze me. Luckily, my luggage was found at customs in Vancouver and delivered to my front step the following day. My first week home was pretty relaxing. I won't lie, I was still in a bit of a New Zealand withdrawal, but managing just fine.

Chris arrived later that week and we have been having a pretty great summer so far. We have been to two great summer concerts, wined and dined at Victoria and Vancouver's best, and watched a million (aka 3 seasons) episodes of Scrubs. When I was not hanging out with Chris, I was busy taking a very unexciting summer course at the University of Victoria. Luckily, it was one of the accelerated summer courses where you attend class every day, so I am happy and kind of embarassed (because I haven't written in my blog since before the class started) to say that the class is already over! The exam went well, so kudos to that. In addition to class, I have been busily entertaining myself with my mother's new baby: a puppy. Nemo, a little white Bichon Frise is 12 weeks old today and more energetic than Chris dancing to Kelly Clarkson. He is my mother's pride and joy. When we hang out, Nemo likes to pounce at my fingers as I type e-mails and such. He isn't too happy with the two finger type either, I guess.

A few weeks ago, Chris and I went to Vancouver for the weekend. The main purpose was to see Feist at the Vancouver Folk Festival, who was incredible by the way. At the festival, we had frozen chocolate covered fruit and genuine BC kettle corn, mmmmmmm. We also got to check out Granville Island, a small inlet part of Vancouver not too far from downtown with loads of food markets and antique shops. We ate very diverse food items such as flax wraps, cous cous, and creme brullee. I also got to meet up for coffee with a former professor of mine while I was in Vancouver. It was very good. I felt like I got even more clarity and inspiration from it.

Since my class has ended, I haven't been doing much else besides getting in touch with old friends, getting my photos organized, and planning for next year. I have selected my courses for next year and am pretty happy overall. I am enrolled in Intro to Korean finally. That is a class I wanted since first year, but could never seem to fit it in. It is also perfect timing because I am going to go to Korea next year after I graduate to work, travel and see family of course. I am very much looking forward to heading back to London. I miss my friends terribly. Lucky for me, Michelle visited my on the island a couple days ago. We took photos around Victoria and ate grade A gelato. It was good seeing her :) I can only imagine how great it will be to see even more of all you amazing people very shortly. By the way, my flight is scheduled for August 16th. I am coming so late because I wanted to make sure I saw my little bro before school (who I actually did miss too :). But I made sure to come back early enough to catch my best pal Rebecca's engagement party of the 19th. I never got to officially say it publicy Becks, CONGRATULATIONS REBECCA AND BRIAN! Love ya babe, ksh ksh.

Now that I have been home for a solid month from NZ, I have had some time to reflect on my experience abroad and I hope I have done it some justice. Of course, I will be more than happy to talk for hours upon hours about it all when I get back, but don't be afraid to tell me to shutup if i do. I want to thank everyone again for all the love and support you all gave me pre-, during, and post - exchange. I may talk loads about New Zealand, but one thing that country taught me was just how much I love my own country, Canada. I developed a newfound respect and appreciation for our beautiful country while I was away from her. I know my American roommates are thinking how could I love her anymore than I did - apparently they found my Canadian flags excessive (not in a bad way - in a, "we could never do that as Americans" way). I saw Canada in a different light when I was in NZ. Now more than ever, I want to explore and learn about all parts of the country. As I travel and see more of the world, I sense I am becoming more educated, cultured and wordly, but I have also never been prouder to be Canadian.